Читать книгу The SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research - Группа авторов - Страница 294

There are many factors that could contribute to the damage or the wear and tear of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. A tear or damage from a sports injury or while dancing is among the most severe and can lead to acute pain and immobility among injured patients. Genetic factors also contribute to wear and tear of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, along with factors like the development of arthritis. Current therapies do not allow complete recovery and are normally slow, with many interventions required.

Tendon, cartilage, and ligament injuries are of particular interest, as treatment strategies require prolonged periods of recuperation with a heightened chance of recurrence and a drastic effect on the quality of life of the injured individual. This is especially true among athletes, who risk foregoing their sporting career as a result of injury.

The need to provide a more permanent solution that would restore the quality of life and is reliable is a necessity and instrumental in the quest to use stem cells in the treatment of damage to tendons, ligaments, or cartilage. Stem cell therapy has been found to increase the rate of recovery, with a reduction in recurrence and with no recorded side effects. This has resulted in considerable interest in the use of stem cells for treatment, as it can provide affordable treatment methods in both developing and developed nations, reducing the global health equity.

To understand the importance of stem cells in the treatment of damaged tendons, ligaments, or cartilage, it is important to understand the molecular changes that occur in the embryonic stem cells that lead to the formation of these tissues and the molecular pathways that are followed in adult stem cells.